About

The First Welcome Trail is a landmark place-based initiative developed by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) in close partnership with Indigenous communities, community destination management organizations (CDMO), and corporate allies.

Rooted in the traditional protocols of welcome, the Trail reimagines how visitors engage with First Nations lands, languages, histories, and culture.

Launching as a regional pilot across the Vancouver Coast & Mountains and Vancouver Island regions, the Trail connects travellers to Nation-approved welcome poles, carvings, and cultural markers—supported by a rich digital storytelling experience. This pilot will establish a scalable model for future province-wide expansion, guided by Nation readiness and cultural permissions.

At its core, the First Welcome Trail is a cultural invitation, not a tourism product. It elevates First Nations voices and ensures that visitors learn through respectful, Nation-led pathways that honour the teachings, values, and protocols of the host communities.

For Indigenous Communities

We welcome you, and invite you to contact Chatman Shaw, chatman@indigenousbc.com from Indigenous Tourism BC to understand your options on how to present your community on the Welcome Trail. Participation is completely free, and we provide support processes to enable story telling and knowledge sharing in whatever capacity you need.

Destinations & Organizations

If you are interested in getting involved in the Welcome Trail, please contact Chatman Shaw, chatman@indigenousbc.com to discuss partnership options.

We are grateful for the support and participation of these communities.

Thank you to our many partners who have contributed to this project.